Wagga Wagga Junior 2 Day Tour 3^rd & 4^th May 2003

It was a great weekend, weather was perfect, blue skies and no ‘Heffron Park Trade Winds’.  On Saturday we all rolled up to the RAAF Base at 8.30am to register for the weekend, Robbie Cater, Michael Murdoch (U19Ms), Tom Patton (U15Ms) and Adriano Maradini (U13Ms), and for Tom & Adriano’s first Tour.  The tour is a very organised and challenging event, and one all junior riders should try to attend. 

The Tour comprised of:-

Day 1 – Road Race in the morning (U19Ms 85Km; U15Ms 20Km; & U13Ms 10km) and a criterium in the afternoon inside the RAAF Base (U19Ms 20 mins + 3 laps;  U15Ms 10 mins + 3 laps;  U13Ms 10 min + 1 lap)

Day 2 – Road Race (U19Ms 91Km; U15Ms 40Km; & 13Ms 10km) with a time trial in the afternoon (U19Ms 17Km; U15Ms 5Km; &U13Ms 3km)

Both days are challenging and tested the stamina of all the riders.  The boys were exhausted at days end.  The Tour gives newcomers an insight to the different types of cycle racing and shows how riders often excel in one area over another, and that it is just not about powering around the track, it’s about fitness, endurance and having the right mental approach.  It is great to see all the riders at the different levels give their best.  One of the things that always astounds me is the ‘gear’ of the riders, what the parent’s managed to pack into the cars!  I would hate to think how much cumulative money has been outlaid by parents at the event, the bikes, clothes, training gear etc, not to forget the food you need to have on hand, but here again the Wagga Club excelled themselves by their catering effort, so many volunteers, certainly added to the overall success of the event.

Clubs were represented from all other the NSW and Victoria (Wagga is roughly the same distance from Sydney and Melbourne).  Just to the see the number of riders and their families gather in one place was great, and the bikes!

All four boys gave gutsy rides and the Club can be very proud of their efforts and their sportsmanship.

A big congratulations to:

Robbie Cater U19Ms:

4^th Overall (first three placings went to Victorians, blast those Victorians!) so special congrats. to Robbie for 1^st NSW rider.

Weekend placings:   Placed 3^rd in the Road Race on Day 2; Time Trial placed 3^rd

The criterium event was won by William Walker from Brunswick (who placed 1^st Overall) Walker won the criterium at the Bay Series and left Robbie McEwen in his wake, so the competition in the U19s was awesome.

Alison Cater, Robbie’s Mum, did it tough on the side of the road waiting for Robbie to come riding into view, with each road leg ending in a sprint finish with Robbie powering all the way to the end on both days, certainly a rider of the future.  Alison found the criterium harder to watch but she put aside her concern for Robbie and cheered him onto another tight sprint finish.

Adrino Maradini  U13Ms:

Placed 4^th Overall   Placings over the weekend :  4^th in the Road Stage, 3^rd in Time Trial and 3^rd in the Criterium

Adrino’s family was there to cheer him on, and were beaming with pride with Adrino’s great effort.

Michael Murdoch & Tom Patton did not place, but both gave 100%, impressing both their parents, who I might add, were extremely proud of their efforts especially with their staying power and tenacity.

We also need to mention Keegan Aitchison who now rides with Southern Cross (proud father Tony ‘De Bugger’ RBCC Club member) who raced in the U17Ms B, he made a clean sweep in all events, excellent riding, considering he injured his ankle only days before, congratulations to father and son team.

Race Report – Janette Murdoch

Photos – David Patton (Click on images for full size view)

Two professional looking riders ready for a day of racing (Tom Patton & Adriano Maradini)

They wouldn’t be smiling if they knew what lay ahead (Michael Murdoch & Robbie Cater)

Resting in between events (inside the RAAF Base for the Criterium race)

Michael looks very focused, Robbie taking it all in his stride

Could there be a prouder Dad?

Another sprint finish for Adriano

A view of the field where we set up for a day of racing

The man of the moment ‘Adriano Mardini’ Fourth Overall, although secretly I think he covets the No. 1 spot, maybe next year.